Hat

Beautifully embroidered velvet smoking cap circa mid to late 1800s. Victorian smoking caps are thought to have originated in Turkey and the Middle East. Soldiers returning from the Crimean war often brought these back alongside cigars and cigarettes. In Victorian tines these were often created by wives for their husbands. They were worn in the evening with a smoking jacket. This example features a pretty floral design with the centre button matching the foliage colour. The inside is quilted. It is in lovely condition for its age. The only thing I can see to note is that the tassel tangled. The diameter of the hat rim is approximately 7 ½ inches.